Best Patios on Commercial Drive 2014

DH Vancouver StaffMay 14, 2014 8:00 am

One of the best places for a drink and a stellar cuisine in the city is none other than Commercial Drive. East Van’s beautiful Commercial Drive neighbourhood is filled with good eats in fabulous patios, which tend to be busy on those sunny Vancouver afternoons. Here are a few awesome patios on The Drive to check out this summer, especially with the extended hours!

This small, but central patio is a perfect spot for a drink on a sunny afternoon after work, or weekends. Timbre opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (although summer season can see 3 p.m. openings on Fridays), and 11 a.m. on weekends. Live music is available to accompany your Sunday morning brunch.

Fets Whiskey Kitchen is a patio to enjoy, even on the cloudy Vancouver days. It is covered and heated, open year round until 11 p.m. on weekdays, and midnight on weekends. Besides the stunning view, they carry almost 600 whiskies and a great selection of whiskey cocktails and local craft beer.

Signature Drink: Kentucky Caesar, made with maple bacon bourbon.Signature Dish: The southern fried chicken- made with local boneless free run chicken, house made gravy, parm mash and market vegetables- will go perfectly with that Caesar.Address: 1230 Commercial Drive, VancouverWebsite: http://www.whiskykitchen.ca

Havana is not only a restaurant, but it also houses a theatre and a gallery. It’s large patio is a classic spot on The Drive, having been open since 1996. And what better spot in East Van to enjoy nuevo latino cuisine and authentic Cuban cocktails? Havana’s patio is directly across from Grandview Park, and has a gorgeous view of the city skyline.

Falconetti’s East Side Grill patio basks in sunshine in the summer, with a recent partnership with Absolute, it can now be appropriately referred to as ‘The Absolute View’. The Absolute View is open until 11 p.m. on weekdays, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Charlatan is Commercial Drive’s Gastro-Pub, offering 15 fresh tap beers with 12 imports. Their 80 seat south-facing patio is a great place to enjoy the comfort-meals menu (including a Sunday Pot Roast dinner) with a cold pint.

With over 20 beers on tap including a local cask beer and over 100 bottles, Biercraft is a divine spot for beer lover and their long patio is often filled with them in the summertime. Although it has Belgian roots, the menu has a drink and food choice for everyone.

St. Augustine offers a live beer menu on its website, showing the flow of all their beer taps. With over 60 beers on tap, it is easy to find something new. Their patio is covered, and centrally located right near the Commercial-Broadway skytrain station.

If you love patios and oysters, this is a place to visit. Merchants Oyster Bar has Happy Hour with $1.50 per oyster Sunday to Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. until close, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. They also have a Digger Bar, described as “one based around quick service, seafood, and deliciousness.

Whether you eat your pizzas at Famoso folded (“a libretto”) or with a knife and fork, this famous Commercial Drive patio is the spot to enjoy a pizza with the perfect crust. Famoso’s pizzas are made in the authentic bell-shaped Italian imported ovens, and while you’re at it, indulge in their dessert menu in the sunshine. Did we mention there’s gelato? There’s gelato.

Signature Drink: Trimoso: a sample of each of their Mimosas including the Mimosa Classico, Mimosa Mattina, and Berry Mimosa- all made with Italian Prosecco.Signature Dish: Their new Don Andreas pizza is made withCrème fraîche, fior-di-latte, roasted chicken, corn and chipotle salsa, avocado, chopped cilantro, lime wedge, side of Valentina hot sauce.Address: 1380 Commercial Drive, VancouverWebsite: http://www.famoso.ca

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DH Vancouver Staff

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